"Aren't you cold?" Mai asked as she approached Zuko. He was alone on the deck of the warship, leaning against the railing, silent, deep in thought.

It was a full moon that night as they sailed back to the Fire Nation Capital. Home.

"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long, over three years since I was home." After three long years of banishment and exile, he was finally coming home. He always dreamed of this day. But why was his heart still heavy, still unsettled? "I wonder, what's changed? I wonder how I've changed."

Mai yawned out of boredom and slight annoyance. "I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for your whole life story." As Zuko looked away, he felt her arms wrap around him from behind, felt her body press against his. One of her hands touched his cheek and turned his head so he would look at her. "Stop worrying..." She smiled and kissed his lips softly.

Zuko found comfort in Mai. In the flurry of events that happened, in all the anguish he felt after betraying his uncle, she had always been there by his side.

She broke away from the kiss and gave him time alone in the deck. She despised the cold air of the night and she looked forward to being in the warm Capital again. Three years she had endured the ennui of life in general. Three years she had waited for him. Now, he's back.

And with Chiyo out of the picture, this is her chance to finally claim Zuko's heart.

The morning light shone down from the open windows and stirred her awake, opening her amber eyes. She looked around the room, her room; unfamiliar at first, then she recalled the events of the previous night, the night of their arrival in the Fire Nation.

She looked to her side and saw the Lady Suiren, her mentor, sleeping peacefully with a slight smile on her lips. She had insisted that she spend the night there and she didn't take no for an answer. It was a while before sleep took them. Suiren had asked Chiyo to tell her all that she had seen and experienced while she was away, and the young woman obliged happily.

One of the women from last night entered, carrying a tray of fruits and tea. "Good morning, my Lady." She said softly and smiled as she set it down on the table.

"Good morning!" Chiyo greeted back as she got up from the bed and stretched.

"I-I know it is not my place to say this but... we missed you so much, Lady Chiyo. We all did." The woman looked away to hide her tears.

She approached her and held her hand. "I'm sorry if I went away. But I'm back now... and I'm not going anywhere, Sol."

"You...you remember me, Lady Chiyo?!" She gasped and gripped the lady's hand tight. "You remember me?"

The apprentice blinked and realized that she had called out her handmaiden and friend's name. "Yes... yes! I did! I did, Sol!"

Their laughter woke Suiren and she didn't even have it in her to get mad at the abrupt awakening. She smiled as she saw how happy her ward was. She was content.

But there were still matters that needed taking care of.

"Sol, call Ai and the others."

It had been a long time since he had worn the royal robes and armor. It had been a long time since he had servants help him prepare and dress; One secured the clasp of his robe and shoulder plates, the other fixed his hair up into a top knot, placing on it, the emblem of his status, a golden flame, the symbol of the Crown Prince.

Azula leaned against the door frame, watching as her brother was pampered in preparation for their landing in the harbour. As the servants finished, they bowed and left. Zuko stared at himself at the mirror. If it weren't for the scar on his face to remind him, he would've thought that the past three years had been nothing but a faraway dream.

"Are you ready, brother?"

He could only nod in response and they left the lower deck. Two palanquins were prepared for them, the royal guard lined in formation to greet the prince and princess. They stepped into their respective places and the royal procession started.

Up front, the eunuch announced the arrival of royalty and the people dropped whatever they were doing. Everyone took to the streets, townfolk and noblemen alike, to see the return of the prince and the princess. They waved and cheered, applauding the royal procession as it passed them. Children stood at the shoulders of their parents to have a better look of procession.

It took half an hour from the harbor to reach the Royal Caldera City. They stopped at the high stone tower that overlooked all of the city, Lo and Li stood at the entrance. "Greetings to the Princess Azula, and to the Prince Zuko!"

They got off the palanquins and greeted the old twins. "Why are we not at the palace?" Zuko inquired them.

"The Fire Lord is very pleased with the victory that his son and daughter had claimed..." Li bowed her head.

"That he thought it best to give them a heroes' welcome, fit for royalty." Lo followed.

They marched into the tower and climbed till they reached the balcony. Flags were raised, torches were lit, and banners were drawn. Lo and Li stood in front of the crowd and started their tale.

Your Princess Azula!

Clever and beautiful!

Disguised herself as the enemy

And entered the Earth Kingdom's capital!

In Ba Sing Se,

She found her brother, Zuko!

And together they faced the Avatar!

And the Avatar fell!

And the Earth Kingdom fell!

Azula's agents quickly overtook the entire city!

They went to Ba Sing Se's great walls

And brought them down!

The armies of the Fire Nation surged through the wall

And swarmed over Ba Sing Se, securing our victory!

Now, the heroes have returned home!

The crowd that had followed the royal procession applauded as Azula marched to the balcony. "Your princess, Azula!"

"And after three long years, your prince has returned! Zuko!" The prince approached his sister's side and looked down from the balcony at the myriad of people cheering and applauding for them.

He was the Fire Nation Prince once more, no longer the exiled, banished disgrace that fled the harbor. They all acknowledge him with praise and glory, but he still found it lacking.

"Why?"

While the apprentice was in the bath, Suiren had gathered her handmaidens, her sister and mentor, as well as Shang and Qin, the best of her guards. They were in her study and she paced back and forth tirelessly.

"What is it that's bothering you, sister?" Reiko asked worriedly.

"How to keep Chiyo safe..." She muttered as she kept pacing. "We have to keep Chiyo safe."

Quinta sighed. "The child is safe! She's in her room bathing as we speak! She'll be up and performing in no time once more!"

Suiren stopped in her tracks. "No."

"What do you mean no?!"

"I will not allow her to perform anymore."

The old woman stood up. "Have you lost your mind, Suiren? The child is an apprentice entertainer! She will perform! It's only less than two more years before she becomes a full-fledged entertainer! To not have her perform will be the equivalent of killing her!"

Suiren was suddenly hit with a brilliant idea. "That's it! We kill her!"

Reiko stood up as well and slapped her sister at her suggestion. "You've gone mad!"

"I don't mean literally kill her, you idiot!" Suiren defended herself as she rubbed her sore cheek.

"Then what in utter madness did you mean? Who is she not safe from?"

"Call it mother's intuition." She took a deep breath. "We do not let anyone know that Chiyo is back. We can change her identity. I'll let her live back in the Salinja Troupe." Everyone was silent and she continued. There will be a feast tonight for the return of the prince and the princess. It is the perfect opportunity—"

"Perfect opportunity for what?"

Her blood ran cold as she heard his voice.

"F-Fire Lord Ozai!" They all stood up hastily and bowed deeply to the monarch.

Suiren turned around, face pale and eyes wide. "My Lord... W-what are you doing here?"

He raised an eyebrow at his concubine's sudden secretive demeanor. "Is it wrong for me to visit my lover?"

"No, My Lord..."

Ozai looked around the room, noting the assembly of Suiren's handmaidens and guards, as well as the old entertainer Quinta, and a woman who could easily pass as Suiren's twin. "What is this gathering for?"

They all looked to Suiren who clutched her skirts to keep her hands from shaking. "W-We are p-planning... for the feast! Yes! For the return of Princess Azula and Prince Zuko!"

"Hmm... Very well. I shall leave you all to it."

"Lady Suiren, I have finished bathing!" Chiyo entered the study with a wide smile that faltered as she saw the back of a tall man with long dark hair that held the traditional top knot pinned to place with a golden emblem of the Fire Nation . He wore dark red robes lined with golden metal. The man turned to face her and she involuntarily stepped back as she saw his piercing golden eyes.

"Little Chiyo..." The way the man uttered her name sent shivers up her spine and fear bubbled within her.

He smiled wickedly.

Author's Notes

Hehe. Hehe. Hehe.

I just LOVE being cruel.

-TheGreatestConWoman-

is currently reevaluating her life decisions.